If you're worried about how safe your home is, now may be a good time to test just how burglar-proof it really is.
Security firm Boundary is giving homeowners the chance to 'borrow a burglar' for the day to help them make their properties as safe as possible from criminals.
The security firm will hire convicted burglars to attend properties to see if there are any ways they can gain access to your property, and after 'breaking in', they will then advise homeowners what precautions they should take to protect themselves against real criminals.
Anyone with a security system from the Edinburgh-based start-up can apply for the service, however it's only available to a limited number of people, reports Wales Online.
The ex-criminals will be paid a pro-rata salary of £40,000 for two or three days of consultancy work.
CEO Robin Knox said: “Most of us don’t have the mindset of a burglar and therefore wouldn’t spot half of the places they might be able to gain access to in our homes.
"With lockdown restrictions set to come to an end at some point over the summer, we’d expect criminals to be on high alert for empty homes to target.
"By giving the public the rare opportunity of inviting an ex-burglar into their homes to point out weaknesses, we hope to be able to continue to make Britons feel safe in their own homes.”
A page on their website reads: "We hired ex-burglar Luke Harris back in 2020, after he gave up a life of looting six years ago.
"Having spent 12 years of his life burgling from the public, Luke decided to right his wrongs by joining the Boundary team as a consultant and settled down with his long-term partner and two children."
The firm explained by doing so, it would help offenders get back on their feet, find paid work and gain experience which will lead to future career opportunities. Boundary have also partnered with Unlock, a national advocacy charity for people with criminal records, to help find suitable candidates.
Christopher Stacey, Unlock's co-director explained: "People with criminal records are often assumed to be untrustworthy - yet here's a job where the ability to spot the flaws in a system are essential.
"Whether it's advising on burglar alarms or providing customer service, excluding people because of their past convictions means missing out on skilled candidates and we encourage businesses of all shapes and sizes to look beyond someone's past and look at the potential they can bring to the organisation."
